On the Go

With the start of a new school year for me and the start of a new semester of graduate classes (and fantasy football season) for Erik, we have been on the go all week.  There is a certain rush that comes along with those first few chaotic days - getting out the door in the morning, scrambling to get everything prepared and organized, meeting the students and their parents, and trying to make each new year, better than the last.  Throw in working with several new staff members, new technology (oh, and pumping) and you've got yourself a pretty non-stop day.  Then rush to the sitter's to get Elsa and we start the most fun (and sometimes tiring) part of the day. 

  
On top of the work craziness, we also managed to celebrate my 29th birthday (a couple times).  

Elsa sneaking a strawberry from my birthday dinner

My sweet helpers! 

 However, no one has been on the go nearly as much as Elsa!  She has mastered crawling, getting faster by the hour, can pull herself up on just about anything, and is loving to practice standing up all by herself!  

So Proud!

 Hoping for a few more "free" moments in the next few weeks...

A Nine Month Old's World

Crawling...Trying to pull herself up...Standing...Eating Cheerios and other finger foods...all within the past couple weeks.  We can hardly child-proof the house fast enough.  She's just growing so fast...  

This curious 19 pounder has developed a love of playing in mom and dad's closet, scooting her way underneath the hanging clothes, giggling when you "find" her.  She helps mom cook dinner by emptying the contents of the lower cabinets and drawers.  Bath time involves more splashing and grabbing for soaps and wash cloths and anything else within her reach.  She crawls forwards and backwards, and often wants to practice in the middle of the night.  

She is exploring her world, learning new skills and tricks every day. 

To watch her, to be a part of her world, is just the best.

Three Years Later

Three years ago today, I woke up around 5:30am in a hotel suite, giddy with excitement for the day - ready for our wedding day and our life as a married couple to begin.  

This morning, a giddily clapping nine month old woke me up well before the sun came up, ready to start our day.

Three years ago today, I spent the morning with some of my favorite women, sipping mimosas, having our hair and make-up done.  

This morning, I spent my time with my sweet Elsa at home, sipping a Diet Caffeine-free Pepsi for me,  breastmilk for her. I have barely run a brush through my hair and the closest thing to pampering involved diapers (and I trimmed Elsa's fingernails - so a manicure :))...sorry, no pictures for documentation of this morning's bed head and p.j.s... 

We've filled the past three years with an abundance of love and laughter, shared with family and friends.  Our wedding day, as perfect as it could be, was a beautiful start to this life together.  And, although, today, there will not be tuxedos or professional photographers or 200 guests to celebrate with us, it will be just as perfect.

Happy Anniversary to us...we've only just begun

.D' SC

I allowed Elsa to name this post since it's of her playing the piano. Without further adieu:

Weekend Recap

Like all great weekends, let's start on Thursday...

After much anticipation, our newest nephew Nolan Antonio Cervantes made his entrance into this world!  The little guy needed some time under the lights to treat a little jaundice so when we visited we were unable to get to hold him.  However, I can tell you, he is adorable - even while wearing light-protection goggles (not an easy look to pull off!) and he is now at home, doing well! We already can't wait for another visit! Look out Nolan, we have extra snuggles to make up for and Elsa can't wait to meet her younger cousin!

Proud Dad - already a Pro!

On Friday, this little bug turned nine months old!

9 Month stats will be delayed -  Elsa's check-up isn't until next week...

so close to crawling!

On Saturday, during our trip to see Nolan and his parents, we went on Elsa's first college visit (to the greatest campus on earth)...

We walked around the quad, ate lunch at Za's on Green Street, unsuccessfully attempted to sneak into Lincoln Hall to see the renovations, stopped for some frozen yogurt, and finally made a quick stop to Kam's (sort of)...

We couldn't have asked for a better start to the month of August!